Are you looking for a paid UN internship in international development? Applications are now open for several UNFPA Internship Opportunities in 2026, offering students and recent graduates the chance to gain hands-on experience working with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

These internships provide valuable exposure to global development, humanitarian programmes, youth engagement, and supply chain operations, while allowing interns to work alongside experts addressing issues such as reproductive health, gender equality, population data, and youth empowerment.

If you want to start a career in the United Nations system, these internships can be a strong stepping stone.

Why Apply for a UNFPA Internship?

The UNFPA Internship Programme is designed to provide talented students and young professionals with real-world experience in international development and UN operations.

Benefits of UNFPA Internships

Selected interns may receive:

• Monthly stipend (paid internship)

• Opportunity to work within the United Nations system

• Hands-on experience in programme management, research, policy, and operations

• Mentorship from experienced UN professionals

• Exposure to global development and humanitarian programmes

• Networking opportunities with professionals across the UN and international NGOs

These internships are highly valuable for anyone pursuing careers in international development, global health, policy, research, humanitarian work, or public administration.

UNFPA Internship Opportunities 2026

Below are the currently available UNFPA internships and internship rosters open for applications. Deadline varies with some deadlines in December 2026

1. UNFPA Private Sector and Civil Society Internship – New York

The UNFPA Private Sector and Civil Society Internship offers students and recent graduates an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at its headquarters in New York, USA.

The internship focuses on strategic partnerships, private-sector engagement, philanthropy, fundraising, donor intelligence, due diligence and global development.

Location: New York, USA
Office: UNFPA Headquarters
Contract Type: Internship
Duration: 24 weeks
Work Arrangement: Full-time, in person
Stipend: Eligible interns may receive a stipend
Application Deadline: 9 September 2026

Key Areas of Work

• Strategic intelligence and prospect mapping
• Corporate and philanthropic partnerships
• Funding opportunities and RFP tracking
• Donor research and CRM management
• High-level events and partnership coordination
• Corporate partnership support
• Partner due diligence and risk assessment
• Knowledge management and capacity building
• Research, analysis and preparation of strategic reports

Who Can Apply?

Applicants should be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme, be in the final academic year of a first university degree, or have recently graduated with an advanced degree in Social Sciences, Public Administration, International Relations, Business Administration, Development Studies or a related field.

Strong analytical, writing and communication skills are required, while experience with development agencies is an advantage but not essential.

How to Apply: Submit a two-page CV and motivation letter of no more than 400 words to pscsb.office@unfpa.org.

Apply by: 9 September 2026 at 5:00 PM (New York time).

2. UNFPA Global Internship Roster 2026

UNFPA also maintains a Global Internship Roster, allowing qualified candidates to be considered for multiple internship opportunities across UNFPA offices worldwide.

Successful applicants may be matched with internship openings across country offices, regional offices, and headquarters.

Location: Multiple locations worldwide
Contract Type: Internship
Application Deadline: 31 December 2026

Benefits of joining the roster

• Access to multiple UNFPA internship opportunities

• Possibility of placements in different global offices

• Exposure to various programme areas including gender equality, population data, reproductive health, and humanitarian response

APPLY HERE 

3. Supply Chain Internship Roster – Copenhagen

This internship roster is managed by the UNFPA Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) in Copenhagen.

The supply chain unit supports the procurement and distribution of essential reproductive health commodities and humanitarian supplies worldwide.

Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Unit: Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU)
Contract Type: Internship
Application Deadline: 31 December 2026

Interns may gain experience in

• Global supply chain management

• Procurement and logistics

• Health commodity distribution

• Data analysis and operational support

APPLY HERE 

4. UNFPA Foresight Paid Internship 2026 – Nairobi, Kenya

The UNFPA Foresight and Futures Work Internship offers students and recent graduates practical experience in strategic foresight, futures thinking, international development, public policy and demographic change.

Location: Nairobi, Kenya (Remote)
Contract Type: Internship
Duration: 3 months, with possible extension
Expected Start: September 2026
Stipend: Available to eligible interns
Deadline: 31 August 2026

Key Areas of Work

• Strategic foresight and futures thinking
• Trend analysis and horizon scanning
• Scenario planning and research
• AI-assisted foresight
• Strategic planning and knowledge management
• Training, workshops and stakeholder engagement

Who Can Apply?

Applicants should be final-year Bachelor’s or Master’s students or recent graduates in Futures Studies, International Development, Public Policy, Economics, Sociology, Demography, Development Studies, Data Science, International Relations or related fields.

Apply: https://www.unfpa.org/jobs/intern-foresight-and-futures-work

Who Can Apply for UNFPA Internships?

To qualify for the UNFPA Internship Programme, applicants typically must:

• Be enrolled in a university degree programme (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD) or have graduated within the past year

• Demonstrate strong academic performance

• Have an interest in international development, population issues, gender equality, or humanitarian work

• Possess strong communication and research skills

• Be proficient in English (knowledge of additional UN languages is an advantage)

Why UNFPA?

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) works in more than 150 countries to improve reproductive health, promote gender equality, and empower young people.

Through its programmes, UNFPA supports initiatives such as:

• Ending preventable maternal deaths

• Ending unmet need for family planning

• Ending gender-based violence and harmful practices

• Supporting youth leadership and demographic research

Interning with UNFPA provides an opportunity to contribute to these global priorities while building a career in the international development sector.

Application Deadlines

• Private Sector & Civil Society Internship:  9 September 202
• UNFPA Foresight Paid Internship 2026 – Strategic Foresight and Futures Work: 31 August 2026

• Global Internship Roster: 31 December 2026

• Supply Chain Internship Roster (Copenhagen): 31 December 2026

Final Thoughts

The UNFPA Internships 2026 offer an excellent opportunity for students and graduates to gain professional experience with the United Nations while contributing to meaningful global initiatives in youth development, reproductive health, gender equality, and humanitarian response.

Because these opportunities are paid internships within the UN system, they are highly competitive. Applicants are encouraged to prepare strong CVs, academic transcripts, and motivation statements highlighting their interest in global development and UNFPA’s mission. For more jobs and internships at UNFPA, please visit:
https://www.unfpa.org/jobs

---

Looking for more global internships, fellowships, and scholarships?
Explore hundreds of opportunities at Opportunities For Youth (OFY):
https://opportunitiesforyouth.org